What have you done today?

[Cherie]

I was thinking what on Earth. :joker:

I thought you had gone mad, we are having cottage pie AND a chippy tea :laugh:

[Benjamin]

I thought you had gone mad, we are having cottage pie AND a chippy tea :laugh:

Tbf I would love both. :laugh:

[Maru]

Shoving whatever my child asks for at her so I can get the stuff done for Taskmaster while blasting music and slowing working through my teapot...

[Benjamin]

Shoving whatever my child asks for at her so I can get the stuff done for Taskmaster while blasting music and slowing working through my teapot...

:lovedup:

Good luck!

[Kate!]

I've been asleep. It's nearly 2 weeks now I've been poorly. I'm cooking my tea, I wasn't hungry at teatime.

[Benjamin]

Just finished one of my least favourite chores - cleaning the oven.

[Ammi]

Just finished one of my least favourite chores - cleaning the oven.

…really don’t like that chore either…/…good feeling for you that it’s done now, though…

[Benjamin]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

[Vicky.]

God I wouldn't have the concentration to do that :laugh:

Today I have spent 40 quid taking 4 kids out for Halloween only for 2 of them to leave the party after an hour and then other 2 half an hour before it ended :bored:

[Niamh.]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

Good job, i love a good Jigsaw

[Ammi]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

…ahhhhh stunning…:lovedup:…and you did those two very quickly as well…Jigsaw Kings…:love:…and no missing bits…

…I like the scenes/Trai Hiscock has some fun jigsaw scenes, I don’t know if you’ve done any…/…check them out though if you get a chance…I’ve done a few of them and they’re just…fun…

https://www.alljigsawpuzzles.co.uk/collections/trai-hiscock-jigsaw-puzzles?country=GB

[Benjamin]

…ahhhhh stunning…:lovedup:…and you did those two very quickly as well…Jigsaw Kings…:love:…and no missing bits…

…I like the scenes/Trai Hiscock has some fun jigsaw scenes, I don’t know if you’ve done any…/…check them out though if you get a chance…I’ve done a few of them and they’re just…fun…

https://www.alljigsawpuzzles.co.uk/collections/trai-hiscock-jigsaw-puzzles?country=GB

I haven’t but will flag that page for the future. I can’t look at another puzzle for a while. :laugh:

[Ammi]

I haven’t but will flag that page for the future. I can’t look at another puzzle for a while. :laugh:

…:laugh:..actually you were really quick and especially as you had two muddled together…Mr Wales probably felt so bad that he’s been up spending his nights doing it by candlelight…:laugh:..

[Benjamin]

…:laugh:..actually you were really quick and especially as you had two muddled together…Mr Wales probably felt so bad that he’s been up spending his nights doing it by candlelight…:laugh:..

Honestly every evening we’d be like no, no puzzling tonight. Then one of us would walk past, glance and spot a piece where we knew it would go and next thing you know we’ve been sucked back in for hours. :laugh:

[Ammi]

Honestly every evening we’d be like no, no puzzling tonight. Then one of us would walk past, glance and spot a piece where we knew it would go and next thing you know we’ve been sucked back in for hours. :laugh:

…yeah I just can’t leave them/I always think that I’ll have a break but I never do…I do mine in another room so that he doesn’t see me keep sneaking in…but then after I’ve completed it…?…we have to huddle up at one end of the dining table because I can’t bear to destroy it …it’s always very traumatic to do that but eventually it has to go…:’(….

[Maru]

We went north to the suburbs to trick or treat with friends and when sitting outside in front of the fire, I saw a shooting star (everyone else missed it)... we just got home at about 10:30... I want a nice soak, but I'm tired...

[Maru]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

I can't see the second one for some reason, but I like the art style in the first...

Edit: Oh it's loading now... very slowly lol

[Ammi]

We went north to the suburbs to trick or treat with friends and when sitting outside in front of the fire, I saw a shooting star (everyone else missed it)... we just got home at about 10:30... I want a nice soak, but I'm tired...

…a magical shooting star…/perfect…:love:…

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

Woowww

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

…really don’t like that chore either…/…good feeling for you that it’s done now, though…

Hate it too!! Long!!

[Ammi]

Hate it too!! Long!!

…Ben’s inspired me actually…I might start an oven cleaning hate group in WhatsApp…the virgin olive oil cost outrage group has gone a bit quiet atm and a rant is good for the soul…

[Maru]

God I wouldn't have the concentration to do that :laugh:

Today I have spent 40 quid taking 4 kids out for Halloween only for 2 of them to leave the party after an hour and then other 2 half an hour before it ended :bored:

That is frustrating. It feels like everything at toddler age is like that and a lot of things have to be rushed also. Very annoying if there's money behind it, so get that completely.

[Benjamin]

Today I’ve made chutney with the last of the tomatoes we grew. And I’m making a beef, red wine and blue cheese pie.

[Niamh.]

Today I’ve made chutney with the last of the tomatoes we grew. And I’m making a beef, red wine and blue cheese pie.

Aren't you fancy :smug:

Going to my moms for dinner and then we're going to see my sister in law in a play afterwards

[Benjamin]

Aren't you fancy :smug:

Going to my moms for dinner and then we're going to see my sister in law in a play afterwards

I’m not the one with a diamond encrusted golden aga. :idc:

[Benjamin]

But what play you watching?

[Niamh.]

I’m not the one with a diamond encrusted golden aga. :idc:

:joker:

[Niamh.]

But what play you watching?

It's a one act play called Me & My Friend, they travel around Ireland and enter the different one act play competitions every year.

[Benjamin]

It's a one act play called Me & My Friend, they travel around Ireland and enter the different one act play competitions every year.

Ahh nice. Cheeky glass of wine whilst watching?

[Niamh.]

Ahh nice. Cheeky glass of wine whilst watching?No unfortunatley not, i have to drive :(

[Crimson Dynamo]

No unfortunatley not, i have to drive :(

You can have a couple of glasses of wine, surely?

[Benjamin]

No unfortunatley not, i have to drive :(

Boo.

[Ammi]

…I was plugged into the forum quite a bit and pottering about here but I was also working through my journal and got quite a lot completed today…

[Ray.]

Shaved off my moustache. I feel like I've lost my face.

[Ammi]

Shaved off my moustache. I feel like I've lost my face.

…have you shaved it off to start again to do Movember or…?…same, though…I did adjust quickly to the clean shaven’ness …so I think you will also…

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY294dDlhaXlpbnJnODVzZjhlYTJ6czR pdDZyNTlteXNsN2I5bGgzdCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UE4SHplWy92C6CABy4/giphy.gif

[Ray.]

…have you shaved it off to start again to do Movember or…?…same, though…I did adjust quickly to the clean shaven’ness …so I think you will also…

https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY294dDlhaXlpbnJnODVzZjhlYTJ6czR pdDZyNTlteXNsN2I5bGgzdCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UE4SHplWy92C6CABy4/giphy.gif

Didn't even know this was a thing tbh... It's not an offshoot of no-nut November, is it? :suspect:

[Ammi]

Didn't even know this was a thing tbh... It's not an offshoot of no-nut November, is it? :suspect:


…(…I think that it started in Australia first…)…I recall Ben doing it here/and being sponsored… and both of my sons have done it a few times…I think it’s been a thing for around 15 years or so…

[Crimson Dynamo]

Me and the boy just got a McDs and watched the first five minutes of Stranger Things season 5 and then watched a breakdown video of Stranger Things the first 5 mins

:hee:

[Cherie]

Just finished one of my least favourite chores - cleaning the oven.

Weird I have just done this too, I use that stuff where you put the trays in a bag overnight and put the rest of the liquid on the inside of the oven tbh its never as bad as the thought of doing it

[Cherie]

I went to Keep fit this morning 50 minutes of cardio and boy does she put us through out paces, she says things like 'keep breathing' :laugh: I'm trying to stay alive yes :fist:

[Cherie]

Finally done the two puzzles!

https://i.ibb.co/ym6ScHGT/IMG-9092.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Z6s7zbfK/IMG-9091.jpg

wow I dont think I would have the patience

[Maru]

Husband flew out of town for almost a week so I reset the house for the holidays. Got some woodworking/DIY projects done in the meantime. And just before that, I got the floating shelf for the breakfast area put up. :love: Everything is so much more organized and tidier. Other little things in that mindset. I made a mail holder with compartments so we can sort our mail by purpose and it's no longer ending up anywhere else in the house...

Oh yeah, story time....

I had to call 911 on a neighbor to get fire department to come today because a neighbor decided to take heavy trash into their own hands. When we have any home debris, including old furniture, we put it on the end of the street for city pickup. These piles can get pretty large and theirs was considerable. Anyway, they decided they would start to try to slowly burn down this pile at the end of their driveway and partway in the street so it was a fire hazard.

This neighbor, also, a few days ago went door-to-door to different neighbors while screaming terroristic threats. Probably about someone living with them probably because we've seen that they've fought. Anyway, they were complaining they were locked out and had their phone taken... can't imagine why... my camera very much caught their conversation from across the street and my front yard is not small. So they were loud enough it sounded like they were already at our front door.

For some reason, they decided to go to everyone's door on the street and knock really hard but then walk away while having this crazy dialogue by themselves about how they were going to help someone bleed, etc. So probably quite a few cameras caught them. Our block is quiet, but this is the one unstable person on our street because law of probabilities I guess dictate we need at least one. He makes a scene in their driveway regularly, always about "I have a job!" and how he pays for stuff (yay?)... this justifies threats and total meltdowns when someone offends him. I've seen him meltdown at UPS drivers, so I suspect it's either mental illness or his brain is probably cooked from drugs. But he is obviously living with someone and not happy with the arrangement when he is told to do one. So this initiates schizo gangster mode every time for the entire block to hear, which is very annoying...

Related, I went to a very nice nature reserve yesterday with child in what is actually a nice area and some people showed up on bikes to make use of the covered area. One of them rides away and as he does this, he suddenly stops dramatically and then turns to the ones that are setting up very seriously, and says "Don't be ghetto!"... and then takes right off... pure comedy. And it fits in very well with the moral of the last story I just told...

[Benjamin]

Beers and Mancala at the pub by the fire.

https://i.ibb.co/Xkxdpg7T/IMG-9778.jpg

[Cherie]

Beers and Mancala at the pub by the fire.

https://i.ibb.co/Xkxdpg7T/IMG-9778.jpg

wow I didn't realise you were both in your 80s :laugh:

aw that looks super cosy

[Benjamin]

wow I didn't realise you were both in your 80s :laugh:

aw that looks super cosy

:nono:

Nothing old about playing games at the pub.

(We’re actually in our 90s)

[Crimson Dynamo]

My eldest and I did a big Waitrose shop and had a good long browse around TK Max plus had a Greggs

[Niamh.]

I taught Stevie to do a little trick - sit, stay and then run and jump into my arms. He's a clever little guy. Then I painted the wood on a well Gav made black

[Benjamin]

I taught Stevie to do a little trick - sit, dtay and then run and jump into ny arms. He's a clever little guy. Then I painted the wood on a well Gav made black

As if you mentioned Stevie and didn’t post a photo of him. :oh:

[Maru]

I took daughter for donuts at our favorite local shop and got my usual coffee.

Most of the past few days was coming down hard on the husband for the unsatisfactory state of his File Explorer. Most of his drives are mechanical and teeny ass 2.5 ssds, so I joked he should solve the LGBT puzzle as he had 10 drives/drive letters already and was still trying to expand which is crazy because wasting a port on 256/512 drives is just silly when he needs actual space... He's extra cheeky now because I sent him to the candy store to dump 6TB (4TB + 2TB m.2) into his system and after looking, he's going to need another 4TB in mechanical imo. (He does audio stuff with samples). I had no idea he was still running on a 512 m.2 for his system disk with all he was needing and I feel like a bad wife now.

Beers and Mancala at the pub by the fire.

https://i.ibb.co/Xkxdpg7T/IMG-9778.jpg

Looks relaxing!

[Cherie]

I taught Stevie to do a little trick - sit, stay and then run and jump into my arms. He's a clever little guy. Then I painted the wood on a well Gav made black

Nawwww.

Took Tilly for an off lead leg stretch around a local Marsh, watched Ireland go through to the playoffs, baked a Christmas Cake...well its in the oven...

[Niamh.]

As if you mentioned Stevie and didn’t post a photo of him. :oh::hee:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251116/01053f7e1a456e62dc004978f5c62f46.jpg

[Cherie]

:hee:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251116/01053f7e1a456e62dc004978f5c62f46.jpg

Look at him, gorgeous:love:

[Benjamin]

:hee:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251116/01053f7e1a456e62dc004978f5c62f46.jpg

I want snuggles with him. :lovedup:

[Friendlykev92]

Just had a chilled Sunday watching the mighty Ireland win in the Football, Hope you've all had a lovely weekend

[Ammi]

:hee:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251116/01053f7e1a456e62dc004978f5c62f46.jpg

…Stevie-Beans…:lovedup:…he really is a little heart stealer…:love:…

[Benjamin]

Off to Cardiff today to have day drinks, then watch All Blacks vs Wales. :dazzler:

Obvs I’ll be supporting NZ secretly lol.

[Maru]

Husband and I did some cheap marital therapy a couple of days ago by tearing apart 2 PC rigs and building a brand new one (PC) before all the planned price hikes. This went on well into the wee hours and we have a few more stories.

I spent the morning undervolting a processor and managing sick child who is doing fine. Just has a gnarly sounding cough (croup, probably).

[Benjamin]

Cancelled our trip to HKG. :bawling:

[Niamh.]

Cancelled our trip to HKG. :bawling:Why???

[Redway]

Getting ready for a memorial-service. Wish me luck.

[Zizu]

Getting ready for a memorial-service. Wish me luck.


Good luck !!!!!

[Benjamin]

Why???

My OH was going for business but he’s had to postpone until February. :(

[Redway]

Good luck !!!!!

That’s very kind of you. Thank you.

[Ammi]

Cancelled our trip to HKG. :bawling:

….awwwww, that’s disappointing…is that connected at all to the recent tower block fires…?….you’re still away for Christmas in Tenerife, though…?..

[Ammi]

Getting ready for a memorial-service. Wish me luck.

…:love:..

[Maru]

So far I have been sick the entire holiday along with child and so not going out very much. Thanksgiving was fairly low key affair but we had already scaled down this year so not terribly much cooking. At this point I just want this cold to be over.


Cancelled our trip to HKG. :bawling:

That really sucks.

[Zizu]

So far I have been sick the entire holiday along with child and so not going out very much. Thanksgiving was fairly low key affair but we had already scaled down this year so not terribly much cooking. At this point I just want this cold to be over.




That really sucks.


Hopefully things improve fast !!

[Niamh.]

My OH was going for business but he’s had to postpone until February. :(Aw downer, can you still go with him in February?

[Gusto Brunt]

Waited in all day from 8am for an Evri delivery.

He eventually came at 4.50pm.

[Niamh.]

Went to the quarry this morning with Gav and Stevie and got some gravel, went for a walk in the woods on the way home, then spent the day cleaning the house in preparation for putting the decorations up tomorrow. Going to have a shower and then make dinner in a minute and then crack open a bottle of red wine and binge Stranger Things

[Redway]

…:love:..

:love:

It’s actually gone well. I had personal stakes (by way of extended representation, for someone quite close) but what they expected/required from me wasn’t too taxing.

[Zizu]

Went to the quarry this morning with Gav and Stevie and got some gravel, went for a walk in the woods on the way home, then spent the day cleaning the house in preparation for putting the decorations up tomorrow. Going to have a shower and then make dinner in a minute and then crack open a bottle of red wine and binge Stranger Things


Series one - episode one onwards or just the new season ?


Also a small bag of gravel or did you buy a ton ?

[Zizu]

:love:

It’s actually gone well. I had personal stakes (by way of extended representation, for someone quite close) but what they expected/required from me wasn’t too taxing.


That’s not too bad a day then … hopefully

[Ammi]

:love:

It’s actually gone well. I had personal stakes (by way of extended representation, for someone quite close) but what they expected/required from me wasn’t too taxing.

…you were there for them and I’m sure that was very much appreciated…:love:..

[Niamh.]

Series one - episode one onwards or just the new season ?


Also a small bag of gravel or did you buy a ton ?No, the new episodes

A ton, Gav is making some paths around the house

[Vicky.]

Took kids to the metro centre for food and for Skye to spend her birthday money...now bath and chill!

[Crimson Dynamo]

I had a great mooch around B&M earlier and while working this avvo watched a couple of serial killer documentaries with police interviews/recordings. Sort of true crime documentaries as well as listening to the footy games with the boy.

[Redway]

That’s not too bad a day then … hopefully
Yep. All good in the hood.
…you were there for them and I’m sure that was very much appreciated…:love:..

Absolutely. Plus the weight of that has made this boring Sunday a bit less existentially hollow than they normally feel for me. I might bemoan the empty void of typical Sunday-afternoons/evenings most of the time but sometimes you just need a boring Sunday to decompress after a long, taxing week (which this week just-gone was in different ways, albeit for a good cause).

[Cherie]

….awwwww, that’s disappointing…is that connected at all to the recent tower block fires…?….you’re still away for Christmas in Tenerife, though…?..

Not Ammi accusing Mr Wales of burning HK in the nicest possible way

[Cherie]

We travelled back from Krakow yesterday via Amsterdam and I learned a great new Dutch word Nicky91...Hulp!

Means aid or help :laugh:

Our flight from Krakow as delayed by 20 minutes which meant a few people on the plane missed their connection at Amsterdam, but I have no idea how they would have made it anyway as they obviously didn't leave enough time....

[Ammi]

Yep. All good in the hood.


Absolutely. Plus the weight of that has made this boring Sunday a bit less existentially hollow than they normally feel for me. I might bemoan the empty void of typical Sunday-afternoons/evenings most of the time but sometimes you just need a boring Sunday to decompress after a long, taxing week (which this week just-gone was in different ways, albeit for a good cause).

…yep, it’s good to feel that Sunday has a reason and meaning to it’s decompression, doesn’t it…that really does remove the ‘hollow’ from it and gives it a satisfying edge and you’ve extended something to others as well when they’ve needed that…:hug:..

[Niamh.]

Was a little bit hung over so had a bit of a couch day, watched Liverpool win their match, put up the Christmas decorations, went for a drive and got chips out for dinner, fires lit now and just going to watch IAC and the last episode of Stranger Things

[MTVN]

We travelled back from Krakow yesterday via Amsterdam and I learned a great new Dutch word Nicky91...Hulp!

Means aid or help :laugh:

Our flight from Krakow as delayed by 20 minutes which meant a few people on the plane missed their connection at Amsterdam, but I have no idea how they would have made it anyway as they obviously didn't leave enough time....

How did you find Krakow? Beautiful city

[Cherie]

How did you find Krakow? Beautiful city

The main square is lovely, very touristy though, lots of horse drawn carriages etc, but some beautiful buildings, outside that the Jewish quarter is very nice but they really lean into graffiti :laugh: and the ghetto area is pretty grim but Hero square is pretty poignant, all in all what I expected pretty Eastern European and can be a bit grim in places, there was also a hat shop and I was very excited to buy a Polish bobble hat until I found out the bobble was Fox...and they were also selling mink bobble hats :oh:

[Swan]

No work today, the town is without water supply for its 3rd day, been to get bottled water this morning. Getting boring now though.

[Ray.]

Left work, then got a call saying that a client of ours hadn't received an important email from yours truly, was asked to come back into work to double check and/or rectify the mistake, then just as I was arriving back on the premises, got another call saying that the client had actually received the email, and that it was due to a system update on their end that they'd had trouble finding the damn thing.

In the end I just found the whole thing kind of funny.

[Cherie]

Left work, then got a call saying that a client of ours hadn't received an important email from yours truly, was asked to come back into work to double check and/or rectify the mistake, then just as I was arriving back on the premises, got another call saying that the client had actually received the email, and that it was due to a system update on their end that they'd had trouble finding the damn thing.

In the end I just found the whole thing kind of funny.

D: are you not able to log into your work email from home

[Ray.]

D: are you not able to log into your work email from home

Well it's an intranet system. I mean I suppose I could go about getting an access point made up, but I've never bothered on account of 1. I don't consider myself high up enough on the company ladder to go to the trouble, 2. I'm a professional :smug: and I've never had to worry about that sort of thing before anyway, and 3. Work is like a ten minute walk and so in the end it wasn't the biggest inconvenience. I was actually eager to get down there anyway to prove my point and rub everyone's noses in **** when I got the call. :laugh:

[Cherie]

Well it's an intranet system. I mean I suppose I could go about getting an access point made up, but I've never bothered on account of 1. I don't consider myself high up enough on the company ladder to go to the trouble, 2. I'm a professional :smug: and I've never had to worry about that sort of thing before anyway, and 3. Work is like a ten minute walk and so in the end it wasn't the biggest inconvenience. I was actually eager to get down there anyway to prove my point and rub everyone's noses in **** when I got the call. :laugh:

ah okay fair enough, its actually nice when you know something has been completed and the fault is at the other end :laugh:

[OnTheRight]

Donated blood :)

[Ammi]

Donated blood :)

…great job…!!!!…

[Ammi]

Well it's an intranet system. I mean I suppose I could go about getting an access point made up, but I've never bothered on account of 1. I don't consider myself high up enough on the company ladder to go to the trouble, 2. I'm a professional :smug: and I've never had to worry about that sort of thing before anyway, and 3. Work is like a ten minute walk and so in the end it wasn't the biggest inconvenience. I was actually eager to get down there anyway to prove my point and rub everyone's noses in **** when I got the call. :laugh:

…that’s so incredibly annoying but on a positive, it’s a reminder to your company that you don’t misplace emails or forget to send or etc…and that’s never a bad reminder for them…?…I mean, this is THE Ray that they’re dealing with and let them think again about calling you another time …very annoying, though…I hope that your day leaves that behind and gets so much less disturbed…

[Niamh.]

work and Pilates class with my daughter at 5pm, not too exciting today :laugh:

[Livia]

So far I've done bizzy-work and slacking off in equal measures.

[Livia]

work and Pilates class with my daughter at 5pm, not too exciting today :laugh:

How was her trip, Niamh?

[Niamh.]

How was her trip, Niamh?

Oh brilliant, she was really happy with the work she got done over there. Her Supervisor has more funding left over so she's hoping to send her to a University in Birmingham for a month as well some time next year

[Livia]

Oh brilliant, she was really happy with the work she got done over there. Her Supervisor has more funding left over so she's hoping to send her to a University in Birmingham for a month as well some time next year

That's great. Good for her. So glad it went well.

[Ray.]

ah okay fair enough, its actually nice when you know something has been completed and the fault is at the other end :laugh:

Oh, absolutely. Even nicer when you know that the people who called you up are going to be profusely apologetic and arse kissing when you next see them. :devil:

…that’s so incredibly annoying but on a positive, it’s a reminder to your company that you don’t misplace emails or forget to send or etc…and that’s never a bad reminder for them…?…I mean, this is THE Ray that they’re dealing with and let them think again about calling you another time …very annoying, though…I hope that your day leaves that behind and gets so much less disturbed…

Funnily enough, I did get another call about an hour or two later from a scam artist claiming to be from BT. :laugh: The party never stops on my phone. Sometimes I like to string them along for a few minutes and see how long it takes them to understand my sarcasm and that I'm not buying what they're selling lol. But today I was just tired and unceremoniously hung up. :shrug:

[Ammi]

Oh, absolutely. Even nicer when you know that the people who called you up are going to be profusely apologetic and arse kissing when you next see them. :devil:



Funnily enough, I did get another call about an hour or two later from a scam artist claiming to be from BT. :laugh: The party never stops on my phone. Sometimes I like to string them along for a few minutes and see how long it takes them to understand my sarcasm and that I'm not buying what they're selling lol. But today I was just tired and unceremoniously hung up. :shrug:

…it’s like you’ve created a new Ray version of A Christmas Carol with the ghosts all visiting you…(…on your mobile…)…in the one day…you still have two more to come before midnight…:laugh:…

[Benjamin]

Been busy so far and it’s not even 10.

Done laundry, cleaned house and as away from next week trying to run down food etc. Had loads of oranges, lemons and limes sitting around so decided to dehydrate them in the oven rather than them just go off from us being away. Not dehydrated citrus fruits before, so hoping the oven method works ok.

[Niamh.]

Took Stevie for a walk and played fetch with him to tire him out this morning before he came in to work with me. He's asleep on my lap now in work :hee:

[Benjamin]

Took Stevie for a walk and played fetch with him to tire him out this morning before he came in to work with me. He's asleep on my lap now in work :hee:

I require a photo of that bundle of cuteness pls. X

And a photo of Stevie too.

[Niamh.]

I require a photo of that bundle of cuteness pls. X

And a photo of Stevie too.

:laugh:

Well as i said he's a sleep on my lap so this is the best I can do

https://i.postimg.cc/FRJ117G6/Sleep.jpg

[Benjamin]

:laugh:

Well as i said he's a sleep on my lap so this is the best I can do

https://i.postimg.cc/FRJ117G6/Sleep.jpg

:lovedup:

[Ammi]

…:lovedup:..

[Ammi]

Been busy so far and it’s not even 10.

Done laundry, cleaned house and as away from next week trying to run down food etc. Had loads of oranges, lemons and limes sitting around so decided to dehydrate them in the oven rather than them just go off from us being away. Not dehydrated citrus fruits before, so hoping the oven method works ok.

…are you excited to spend Christmas in Tenerife, do you generally spend it over there or this the first time…?…

[Niamh.]

And are you going to go full roast over there or something lighter for the weather?

[Ammi]

…and also, who would cook the best roast/Christmas dinner…would that be you or would that be that man from Wales…?…

[Benjamin]

…are you excited to spend Christmas in Tenerife, do you generally spend it over there or this the first time…?…

We were there last Christmas, the Christmas before we were in Cape Verde. I can’t wait to be warm and at the beach.

And are you going to go full roast over there or something lighter for the weather?

God no, a charcuterie board and cocktails. :dazzler:

…and also, who would cook the best roast/Christmas dinner…would that be you or would that be that man from Wales…?…

Both. I do the best roast potatoes though, so I win. :hee:

[Niamh.]

God no, a charcuterie board and cocktails. :dazzler:

sounds just fine to me :dance:

Both. I do the best roast potatoes though, so I win. :hee:

I do a mean roast potato myself :hee:

[Zizu]

sounds just fine to me :dance:


I do a mean roast potato myself :hee:


Whats your method ??

We part cook in the pressure cooker then a couple of minutes in the deep fat fryer !!

Amazing taste and texture

[Niamh.]

Whats your method ??

We part cook in the pressure cooker then a couple of minutes in the deep fat fryer !!

Amazing taste and texture

I boil them rapidly for 5/7mins, give them a shake in the pot to fluff the outsides, add garlic, rosemary and olive oil give them another shake and put them in the oven for an hour

[Benjamin]

I boil them rapidly for 5/7mins, give them a shake in the pot to fluff the outsides, add garlic, rosemary and olive oil give them another shake and put them in the oven for an hour

Nearly exact same as me, but I throw in some flour when shaking them and cook in goose fat.

[Niamh.]

Nearly exact same as me, but I throw in some flour when shaking them and cook in goose fat.

I do them with goose fat at Christmas. What does the flour do for them? might try that this Christmas too

[Benjamin]

I do them with goose fat at Christmas. What does the flour do for them? might try that this Christmas too

Helps create a crunchier potato.

[Niamh.]

Helps create a crunchier potato.

ahh I will definitely try that then

[Livia]

Drove into London at daft o'clock this morning - honestly, the sparrows weren't even up yet - to collect/drop off stuff at the office. Took bloody hours and it was tedious, grey and raining. No one should ever have to leave the house before the sun is up.

[Cherie]

Went to Pilates, then into the City to collect a pic we were having framed, had a browse in Primark, bought some gym gear and socks, and a hat that was reduced to 2.50 for Mr C came home had a Zoom call with the American rellies, now taking Tilly out ...looks chilly and gloomy though :fist:

[Benjamin]

Flew to Tenerife for 3 weeks. :dazzler:

Checked in and got a window seat with extra leg room at no cost, nobody else was in my row, flight departed 15 mins early and we landed 40 mins early. Plus I was first through immigration. Lovely trip.

[Zizu]

Bought these beauties !!

Strawberry & Orange creams !!!!!

Tesco have them in now but selling fast as always !

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251211/a9f5125a41e3ce2b1ff6b503cd653597.jpg

[Ray.]

Nice, Zizu. I bought a Celebrations that's resting above a kitchen cabinet in preparation for Christmas day.

[Ammi]

Flew to Tenerife for 3 weeks. :dazzler:

Checked in and got a window seat with extra leg room at no cost, nobody else was in my row, flight departed 15 mins early and we landed 40 mins early. Plus I was first through immigration. Lovely trip.

…a perfect flight, eh…have a wonderful Christmas in the sun, Ben…:love:..

[Niamh.]

Flew to Tenerife for 3 weeks. :dazzler:



Checked in and got a window seat with extra leg room at no cost, nobody else was in my row, flight departed 15 mins early and we landed 40 mins early. Plus I was first through immigration. Lovely trip.

Enjoy :love:

[Zizu]

Nice, Zizu. I bought a Celebrations that's resting above a kitchen cabinet in preparation for Christmas day.


They’re lovely aa well but there’s something special for me about getting a tub of my favourite two flavours !!

[Benjamin]

Bought these beauties !!

Strawberry & Orange creams !!!!!

Tesco have them in now but selling fast as always !

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20251211/a9f5125a41e3ce2b1ff6b503cd653597.jpg

They are always leftover in any boxes we get given. We usually bag them up and give them to next door.

[Maru]

Continuing the holiday tradition is getting wrecked before the end of the year (usually physically and in other rare but disruptive ways)... but at least it has been more productive.

I did play some Sonic Adventure with the wee child when I was stationary for a bit, so she enjoyed punching buttons as Tails on a second controller. They understand a lot even at that age.

[Nicky91]

gonna donate to that live charity event which has been going on for 6 days so far, Serious Request by radio channel 3FM here


this time its for children and adults with muscle illnesses, which our former national team coach Louis van Gaal is the ambassador of



and i can request a song while i'm at it, i'm gonna request the song The Code by Nemo i think

[Crimson Dynamo]

Just finished my Christmas shopping and got the food in

[Benjamin]

We drove (well OH drove, not me haha) over to Puerto de la Cruz and watched the big waves over lunch and a drink.

Then we parted ways for 30 mins to get each other surprise gifts for the value of €20. Got the OH a T-shirt and a Tiki drinking cup.

Did last bits of shopping too as most shops will be closed here tomorrow. Main priority was OJ for Christmas Day breakfast mimosas.

[Niamh.]

Did the Christmas Eve/Day food shop, did a bit of housework, made the dinner, thinking about having a nap in front of the fire now before Luke gets home from work to watch the tradional Christmas Eve Eve movie which is Elf :hee:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Did the Christmas Eve/Day food shop, did a bit of housework, made the dinner, thinking about having a nap in front of the fire now before Luke gets home from work to watch the tradional Christmas Eve Eve movie which is Elf :hee:

:nono:

nap now, wake up all drowsy and spoil your sleep at night. If you feel tired drink a full glass of water and that will bring you straight back to life.

[Benjamin]

:nono:

nap now, wake up all drowsy and spoil your sleep at night. If you feel tired drink a full glass of water Espresso Martini and that will bring you straight back to life.

Fixed for you.

[Kate!]

Fixed for you.

:joker:

[Kate!]

I'm gonna iron an outfit for tomorrow then I don't need to do it in the morning, too much to do.

[Niamh.]

:nono:



nap now, wake up all drowsy and spoil your sleep at night. If you feel tired drink a full glass of water and that will bring you straight back to life.Just woke up :hee: i love a nap and don't worry about me sleeping tonight, I could nap for 3 hours and still sleep like a baby tonight [emoji23]

[Ray.]

Today, in the early hours, I won a game of online Monopoly (sad, I know) while owning only Regent Street, Oxford Street, Bond Street, and the four stations. I trounced them like a king and bathed my face in the blood of my enemies.

[Benjamin]

Today, in the early hours, I won a game of online Monopoly (sad, I know) while owning only Regent Street, Oxford Street, Bond Street, and the four stations. I trounced them like a king and bathed my face in the blood of my enemies.

Love a wee game of online monopoly. PS5?

[Ray.]

Love a wee game of online monopoly. PS5?

No, it was off the google play store app. :laugh:

[Maru]

Woke up quite early (4am). Missed child so when I saw she was awake, went in to get her even though it was dark.

We are having a nice sunrise. "Fish Mackerel" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel_sky) in parts (especially overhead off camera)

https://i.postimg.cc/9FfkXj1c/IMG20251230070742.jpg

Unfortunately my better camera was asleep in bedroom with husband and I don't want to wake him.

[Benjamin]

Pool day for me today. Nobody is around, despite it being hot and sunny, so it’s just me, my book and some beers. Perfect

[Maru]

Pool day for me today. Nobody is around, despite it being hot and sunny, so it’s just me, my book and some beers. Perfect

We're supposed to be the 80s (26+) again. Some went to Galveston to visit the beach on Christmas day because why not? Kinda wild... we had tiny bits of ice rain/pellets hitting our windows yesterday as the front was moving through and then going straight back to record highs (probably) on Friday...

[Benjamin]

We're supposed to be the 80s (26+) again. Some went to Galveston to visit the beach on Christmas day because why not? Kinda wild... we had tiny bits of ice rain/pellets hitting our windows yesterday as the front was moving through and then going straight back to record highs (probably) on Friday...

Sounds like my kind of winter!

[Crimson Dynamo]

We're supposed to be the 80s (26+) again. Some went to Galveston to visit the beach on Christmas day because why not? Kinda wild... we had tiny bits of ice rain/pellets hitting our windows yesterday as the front was moving through and then going straight back to record highs (probably) on Friday...

Its not got above 0C here or 32F and everwhere is white with frost. Be around -4C when im at the football later so it will be woolly hats and gloves

:shocked:

[Maru]

Its not got above 0C here or 32F and everwhere is white with frost. Be around -4C when im at the football later so it will be woolly hats and gloves

:shocked:

My in-laws are coming down from up north (Pittsburgh, PA) in less than a couple of weeks and they're currently Winter Storm Erza. I have a package that's supposed to go there today so curious if it'll be delayed. They're hoping it'll be during a warm spell when they come

https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/2025-12-27-winter-storm-ezra-great-lakes-northeast-sunday-monday-rain-snow

[Ammi]

We're supposed to be the 80s (26+) again. Some went to Galveston to visit the beach on Christmas day because why not? Kinda wild... we had tiny bits of ice rain/pellets hitting our windows yesterday as the front was moving through and then going straight back to record highs (probably) on Friday...

Sounds like my kind of winter!

Woke up quite early (4am). Missed child so when I saw she was awake, went in to get her even though it was dark.

We are having a nice sunrise. "Fish Mackerel" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel_sky) in parts (especially overhead off camera)

https://i.postimg.cc/9FfkXj1c/IMG20251230070742.jpg

Unfortunately my better camera was asleep in bedroom with husband and I don't want to wake him.


…we all had Christmas dinner out on the beach on Christ Eve, all wearing Christmas pyjamas…honestly, Christmas in a warm climate is not too shabby at all…:love:…definitely one for the do it again, pile….

…gorgeous 4am pic, Maru…:lovedup:…

[LaLaLand]

Took the dog out earlier around lunchtime, came home, got in my comfies and have been watching the Alfred Hitchcock afternoon currently on BBC2 since. Dial M for Murder currently on followed by Rear Window after. Accompanied by cups of tea and Christmas chocolates. :love:

[Ammi]

Took the dog out earlier around lunchtime, came home, got in my comfies and have been watching the Alfred Hitchcock afternoon currently on BBC2 since. Dial M for Murder currently on followed by Rear Window after. Accompanied by cups of tea and christmas chocolates. :love:

…that honestly sounds like perfection…:lovedup:…two excellent movie choices, I like your style…:love:…

[Cherie]

Got to Spain late last night so today had breakfast out, did a big shop and been for or a lovely walk by the sea, suns out and t shirt weather, met some people we know along the way...super day

[Swan]

Got to Spain late last night so today had breakfast out, did a big shop and been for or a lovely walk by the sea, suns out and t shirt weather, met some people we know along the way...super day

That sounds lovely. Was nice sunshine here today, proper winter sunshine day. Popped into work this morning to sort things for the new year, came home, pottered, then took the dog for a walk, now chilling with a few beers and waiting for the Chels game :wavey:

[Cherie]

That sounds lovely. Was nice sunshine here today, proper winter sunshine day. Popped into work this morning to sort things for the new year, came home, pottered, then took the dog for a walk, now chilling with a few beers and waiting for the Chels game :wavey:


Chels, Man U, Van Gerwen v Anderson.... my head will be swivelling :laugh:

[Swan]

Chels, Man U, Van Gerwen v Anderson.... my head will be swivelling :laugh:

Chels desperate for a win man, my eyes firmly on them tonight :laugh:

Hope you have a lovely time in Spain btw :wavey:

[Cherie]

Chels desperate for a win man, my eyes firmly on them tonight :laugh:

Hope you have a lovely time in Spain btw :wavey:

Thank you, at least Anderson came through :laugh:

[Maru]

Refreshing my daughter's room for New years. Hanging some mirrors and also dusting/cleaning/sanitizing. Also been running testing on my main PC all day because I have it undervolted to make sure it is actually stable.

[Maru]

…we all had Christmas dinner out on the beach on Christ Eve, all wearing Christmas pyjamas…honestly, Christmas in a warm climate is not too shabby at all…:love:…definitely one for the do it again, pile….

…gorgeous 4am pic, Maru…:lovedup:…

It's cold now, so it's making up for tonight on New Years. Been going in and out of the garage space to run laundry and going aaaah crispy....

[Parmy]

Dominoes all evening.

Final scores

Wee sister 15
Mother 14
Brother 12
Sister in law 8
Parmy 1



Holiday next new year.

[Benjamin]

Walked to the garden centre as it’s a nice day. Picked up a few bits, then sat outside in the cafe with a coffee and Welsh cakes.

Got home and did a spot of weeding, and sowed some seeds indoors. Spring is coming. :dazzler:

[Niamh.]

Walked to the garden centre as it’s a nice day. Picked up a few bits, then sat outside in the cafe with a coffee and Welsh cakes.

Got home and did a spot of weeding, and sowed some seeds indoors. Spring is coming. :dazzler:

Hoping to get a poly tunnel this year. I was at the garden centre on Saturday and got a lovely plant to fill a space in the Porch, got a lovely Yucca plant and a nice pot and some cheap but colourful little plants to brighten up the garden.

Today, I'm at work, have Steve in with me today so we just had a Frisbee session in the field next door, he's asleep on my lap now. Going to the cinema with my daughter tonight to see 28 Years Later - The Bone Temple

[Benjamin]

Hoping to get a poly tunnel this year. I was at the garden centre on Saturday and got a lovely plant to fill a space in the Porch, got a lovely Yucca plant and a nice pot and some cheap but colourful little plants to brighten up the garden.

Today, I'm at work, have Steve in with me today so we just had a Frisbee session in the field next door, he's asleep on my lap now. Going to the cinema with my daughter tonight to see 28 Years Later - The Bone Temple

Make sure to put tunnel out of the wind haha. My neighbours just got battered by the storm.

[Niamh.]

Make sure to put tunnel out of the wind haha. My neighbours just got battered by the storm.

:worry: will do

[Benjamin]

Just got tickets to see Empire of the Sun at Cardiff Castle in June. :dazzler:

[Zizu]

Just got tickets to see Empire of the Sun at Cardiff Castle in June. :dazzler:


OMG

They are one of my all time favourite bands !!


I have been obsessed with them since the first hearing of Walking on a Dream


They are one of the very , very few artists who I have liked every single song they’ve done !!


Even my all time favourites The Beatles released some absolute sh1te tracks ( eg Octopuses Garden , Yellow Submarine etc )

Who would have thought we would have similar tastes [emoji3]

[Benjamin]

OMG

They are one of my all time favourite bands !!


I have been obsessed with them since the first hearing of Walking on a Dream


They are one of the very , very few artists who I have liked every single song they’ve done !!


Even my all time favourites The Beatles released some absolute sh1te tracks ( eg Octopuses Garden , Yellow Submarine etc )

Who would have thought we would have similar tastes [emoji3]

https://media.tenor.com/OBHElaSUCjQAAAAM/miss-jay-jay.gif

I joke!

They’re brilliant. As soon as I saw they’re playing in Cardiff, I was straight onto the pre-sale. :laugh:

[Zizu]

https://media.tenor.com/OBHElaSUCjQAAAAM/miss-jay-jay.gif

I joke!

They’re brilliant. As soon as I saw they’re playing in Cardiff, I was straight onto the pre-sale. :laugh:


Still regularly play High and Low , Alive and We are the people …

[Livia]

Wasted 3 hours in a meeting that could have been an email.

[AnnieK]

Wasted 3 hours in a meeting that could have been an email.

I did that last night too - a 6pm meeting that last an hour that honestly could have been summarised in a 2 paragraph email :mad:

Mine was for a school trip thing for Matthew - honestly it took an hour to say what time we needed to get them to school, what they needed to pack and how much money to take. I left work early, fought rush hour traffic to pick Matthew up from home and then get there only for him to ditch me to sit on my own as soon as he saw his mates and then some parents asked THE most ridiculous questions ever so it dragged on - these kids are 15 and not 5. Grrrr :fist:

[Niamh.]

I did that last night too - a 6pm meeting that last an hour that honestly could have been summarised in a 2 paragraph email :mad:

Mine was for a school trip thing for Matthew - honestly it took an hour to say what time we needed to get them to school, what they needed to pack and how much money to take. I left work early, fought rush hour traffic to pick Matthew up from home and then get there only for him to ditch me to sit on my own as soon as he saw his mates and then some parents asked THE most ridiculous questions ever so it dragged on - these kids are 15 and not 5. Grrrr :fist:

Thankfully I don't have to do those meetings anymore but there was always a few annoying parents who kept asking stupid questions, used to drive me crazy :laugh:

[AnnieK]

Thankfully I don't have to do those meetings anymore but there was always a few annoying parents who kept asking stupid questions, used to drive me crazy :laugh:

:laugh: I can't wait to not have them any more. They asked questions that they had already covered and were just stupid.

[Vicky.]

Eye test (as always ..need new glasses!)
Homeschooled James, only 2 hours today as he's getting very fatigued with it all. Have emailed school near me about getting him in, just waiting on reply
Ate a stupid amount of junk food in bed feeling sorry for myself :laugh:

[Ammi]

Eye test (as always ..need new glasses!)
Homeschooled James, only 2 hours today as he's getting very fatigued with it all. Have emailed school near me about getting him in, just waiting on reply
Ate a stupid amount of junk food in bed feeling sorry for myself :laugh:

…his sessions will be a lot more intense and focused/so much more so than in a classroom environment so I think it’s a thing of building them up more over time and two hours for these early days seems fine…I hope that the response from the local school is a positive one for you both…:love:..

[Livia]

Taken some old tech for safe disposal, dropped some bags and boxes off at a charity shop, vacuumed, polished, cleaned the kitchen to a sparkle, just about to walk the dog... Days off are sooooo relaxing.

[Benjamin]

Taken some old tech for safe disposal, dropped some bags and boxes off at a charity shop, vacuumed, polished, cleaned the kitchen to a sparkle, just about to walk the dog... Days off are sooooo relaxing.

I’d had a busy day setting up my new laptop. Now making cheese on toast. Need a nap after all that. :smug:

[Cherie]

Ah I have a new laptop as well, I was literally holding the old one together with tape


Went to keep fit, the to the cinema and watched Marty Supreme.... excellent, walked back through the City with my eldest son through the drizzle, had a cop of tea at his place, Mr C picked me up, walked Tilly, when to Aldi...now in my PJs

[Livia]

Ah I have a new laptop as well, I was literally holding the old one together with tape


Went to keep fit, the to the cinema and watched Marty Supreme.... excellent, walked back through the City with my eldest son through the drizzle, had a cop of tea at his place, Mr C picked me up, walked Tilly, when to Aldi...now in my PJs

I am also in my PJs. Kids having a sleepover, o.h. away till Sunday, house to myself, housework done, had a lovely bath... All's right with the world.

[Cherie]

I am also in my PJs. Kids having a sleepover, o.h. away till Sunday, house to myself, housework done, had a lovely bath... All's right with the world.

Nice.....Tilly is snuggled up next to me on the bed ...

[Niamh.]

Woke up at 7 to let Steve out for the toilet, then he came into bed with us and back to sleep for an hour, he's gone to the shop with Gav now to get milk so I'm still in bed, I'll make some breakfast when they get back and today I plan on sanding back and painting a 2nd hand metal garden table and chairs I bought during the week

[Livia]

Woke up at 7 to let Steve out for the toilet, then he came into bed with us and back to sleep for an hour, he's gone to the shop with Gav now to get milk so I'm still in bed, I'll make some breakfast when they get back and today I plan on sanding back and painting a 2nd hand metal garden table and chairs I bought during the week

Nice. I'm a bit of an up-cycler, love sanding down and painting stuff. So satisfying...

[Cherie]

Woke up at 7 to let Steve out for the toilet, then he came into bed with us and back to sleep for an hour, he's gone to the shop with Gav now to get milk so I'm still in bed, I'll make some breakfast when they get back and today I plan on sanding back and painting a 2nd hand metal garden table and chairs I bought during the week

Very productive!

[Maru]

Hub relayed a story to me about how they arrested a person with a fake license plate here (younger white dude). It was slightly shortened to say "Ilovelatinas", but not quite short enough to nearly fit within the 7 letters requirement so it was very obviously faked. So imagine a plate that looked more like a sentence.. which led to enthusiastic discussion about latinas.

We got some coffee, did light groceries this morning. Rode around with husband and child in the nice weather driving to go donate to dog transport (shelter). Just a nice day to ride around before the colder weather moves in tonight. My skin is dry from running the heater, but hub is claiming it is cold so but I think he might be getting sick....

[Niamh.]

Nice. I'm a bit of an up-cycler, love sanding down and painting stuff. So satisfying...

Very productive!

If the 2nd coat is dry I'll post some before and after pictures in a bit :hee:

[Livia]

If the 2nd coat is dry I'll post some before and after pictures in a bit :hee:

Nice.

[thesheriff443]

Just collecting dad from his dialysis, which he has 3 times a week
I pick him up and my brother takes him at 530 am each time

[Niamh.]

Nice.Before, during and afterhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/8a801dd5033a112376fa92096988db5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/1d0a82e761e802b138e58153763bf629.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/c11eff207f515c291621ff5735219c60.jpg

[Livia]

That's a lovely job, Niamh. I really like them. And so much more satisfying when you've restored them yourself so beautifully.

[Mystic Mock]

I've been listening to some Music alongside political extremist Youtubers this morning.:laugh:

[Niamh.]

That's a lovely job, Niamh. I really like them. And so much more satisfying when you've restored them yourself so beautifully.Thank you :love: it is very satisfying

[Crimson Dynamo]

Before, during and afterhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/8a801dd5033a112376fa92096988db5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/1d0a82e761e802b138e58153763bf629.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/c11eff207f515c291621ff5735219c60.jpg

You have "done a Netflix" on some chairs and a table :omgno:

[Cherie]

Before, during and afterhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/8a801dd5033a112376fa92096988db5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/1d0a82e761e802b138e58153763bf629.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/c11eff207f515c291621ff5735219c60.jpg

very impressive Neem, the chairs are a lovely shape

[Ammi]

Before, during and afterhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/8a801dd5033a112376fa92096988db5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/1d0a82e761e802b138e58153763bf629.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260202/c11eff207f515c291621ff5735219c60.jpg

…beautifully restored…:love:…and Stevie Beans will approve as well, I would say…the perfect chosen colour for him to hide on or under and become invisible when he’s been cheeky/mischievous and needs a place to hide…:fan:…

[Niamh.]

You have "done a Netflix" on some chairs and a table :omgno::joker:

[Niamh.]

very impressive Neem, the chairs are a lovely shape

Yeah, theyre pretty comfortable as well

…beautifully restored…:love:…and Stevie Beans will approve as well, I would say…the perfect chosen colour for him to hide on or under and become invisible when he’s been cheeky/mischievous and needs a place to hide…:fan:…

Thank you ma'am :love:

:joker:

[bots]

i prefer the original :smug:

[Niamh.]

i prefer the original :smug::oh:

[Ammi]

i prefer the original :smug:

https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMDhrYjk3azM4cTFtdnRtNWFqdWQ0dnV mc2I5dDJlbnpxNzFuajl3MyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/YoKRoO5kjVDdgpwLed/giphy.gif…:fan:…

[OnTheRight]

Returned back to England from a cruise. :(

[Crimson Dynamo]

i prefer the original :smug:

Shocking furniture racism

[bots]

Shocking furniture racism

no, i'm just pro weather beaten old relics :laugh:

[Livia]

Did bizzywork till 2:30, took the dog out. Snowdrops everywhere! Thousands of 'em... Gives me hope that eventually it might stop raining and the sun could actually come out. Five weeks till the Spring Equinox...

[Benjamin]

Did bizzywork till 2:30, took the dog out. Snowdrops everywhere! Thousands of 'em... Gives me hope that eventually it might stop raining and the sun could actually come out. Five weeks till the Spring Equinox...

Thank god. I’m really over winter now.

[Benjamin]

Done some laundry and hung it out, as well as a spot of gardening as the weather is glorious. Practiced some Welsh, did a bit of job hunting and then researched studying again for September.

Now just finished my lunch (salmon, cream cheese and caper bagels) so going for a wee nap and then will head to a walk in the park before heading back to make dinner.

[Niamh.]

Done some laundry and hung it out, as well as a spot of gardening as the weather is glorious. Practiced some Welsh, did a bit of job hunting and then researched studying again for September.

Now just finished my lunch (salmon, cream cheese and caper bagels) so going for a wee nap and then will head to a walk in the park before heading back to make dinner.

That sounds like a lovely day :laugh:

Just been in work really, went to the garage a few minutes ago and got a ham salad roll for lunch

[Crimson Dynamo]

weather to get a lot milder from tomorrow

[Ray.]

Finished work this morning way later than expected. Hardly gotten any sleep in preparation for a dental appointment which is now a little less than two hours away. Is the possibility of getting to sleep now worth the frustration and irritation of dragging myself out of bed anyway in about an hour and a half at the most? Probably not. I think I might take the night off. Haven't decided yet.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Im heating up various quartz movements and making them work again

Life in the city

[Cherie]

We booked a private pool for an hour and had a lovely leisurely swim in 30 degree water....bliss

Suns out, its a gorgeous day so going to take Tilly for a walk then Mr C is going to set some spuds in the allotment, he set onions and garlic before Christmas and they are coming along nicely....#Thegoodlife :laugh:

[Cherie]

Finished work this morning way later than expected. Hardly gotten any sleep in preparation for a dental appointment which is now a little less than two hours away. Is the possibility of getting to sleep now worth the frustration and irritation of dragging myself out of bed anyway in about an hour and a half at the most? Probably not. I think I might take the night off. Haven't decided yet.

yeah dont do it to yourself, better to stay up and maybe cat nap in a chair, set your alarm though :worry:

[Vanessa]

Not much, I'm off to the lake, It's such a gorgeous day

[Niamh.]

Did a delivery on my way to work also collected my daughter and dropped her to University on my way in. Spent my lunch break in the field next door throwing Frisbee for Steve

[Ammi]

…went to soft play and then went to the zoo and tired myself out this morning …then to the osteopath this afternoon, it’s a glorious day…/the weather…

[Niamh.]

…went to soft play and then went to the zoo and tired myself out this morning …then to the osteopath this afternoon, it’s a glorious day…/the weather…

went too hard on the soft play and ended up at the osteopath? :worry:

[Ammi]

went too hard on the soft play and up at the osteopath? :worry:

…:laugh:…I’m now going to always have those two diary entries together…soft play a.m./osteopath p.m. …I did try to not do all of the soft play course but he was having none of that….

[Niamh.]

…:laugh:…I’m now going to always have those two diary entries together…soft play a.m./osteopath p.m. …I did try to not do all of the soft play course but he was having none of that….

:laugh:

[Ray.]

yeah dont do it to yourself, better to stay up and maybe cat nap in a chair, set your alarm though :worry:

I did end up staying up lol. No need for an alarm. :smug:

[Benjamin]

Been glorious here so went to the Brecon’s and did one of the waterfall trails. About to have a nap before going out for dinner tonight to my fave restaurant.

[Livia]

Been glorious here so went to the Brecon’s and did one of the waterfall trails. About to have a nap before going out for dinner tonight to my fave restaurant.

Sounds lovely, Ben. It's rained on and off here allllllllll day.

[Benjamin]

Sounds lovely, Ben. It's rained on and off here allllllllll day.

Oh boooo. We’ve got rain forecast tomorrow. :(

[Livia]

Oh boooo. We’ve got rain forecast tomorrow. :(

Yeah, we have too. We were going to look at steam trains tomorrow but might give it a swerve.

[Cherie]

Just back from Amsterdam Rikj Museum and Han Zimmer concert... wonderful although you would need a week to absorb everything in the Rikjs

[Niamh.]

Just back from Amsterdam Rikj Museum and Han Zimmer concert... wonderful although you would need a week to absorb everything in the RikjsOh very nice

[Niamh.]

Drove to the builders providers and bought a tonne bag of top soil, took Steve for a walk in the woods, got an early dinner frim the chipper, came home had a shower and a 20min nap, just waiting for Gav to finish his shower and then I'll crack open a bottle of vino and watch the Liverpool match on playback -no spoilers- [emoji14]

[Ammi]

Just back from Amsterdam Rikj Museum and Han Zimmer concert... wonderful although you would need a week to absorb everything in the Rikjs

…did you go to the Van Gogh museum also…?…I don’t think that I’ve been to a museum quite in that vein and that experience when we can get so incredibly close to the artworks …and obviously because Van Gogh is all about strokes, every single stroke is right there almost touching you…

[Cherie]

…did you go to the Van Gogh museum also…?…I don’t think that I’ve been to a museum quite in that vein and that experience when we can get so incredibly close to the artworks …and obviously because Van Gogh is all about strokes, every single stroke is right there almost touching you…

No unfortunately we left today free and tried to book it this morning as it was raining but it was full ...there are some of his works in the Rikjs including a self portrait, I wondered if some of these are not the originals as you can get so close as well, just a small rope barrier

[Cherie]

Drove to the builders providers and bought a tonne bag of top soil, took Steve for a walk in the woods, got an early dinner frim the chipper, came home had a shower and a 20min nap, just waiting for Gav to finish his shower and then I'll crack open a bottle of vino and watch the Liverpool match on playback -no spoilers- [emoji14]

Lovely...

[Ammi]

No unfortunately we left today free and tried to book it this morning as it was raining but it was full ...there are some of his works in the Rikjs including a self portrait, I wondered if some of these are not the originals as you can get so close as well, just a small rope barrier

….ahhhh, next time maybe…that sounds to me like a return visit…(I think…)…that some of the artworks are copies but very expensive copies also…/…hand painted by accomplished artists and with Van Gogh, still displaying all of his brush strokes…I guess that’s the way with many public display arts that we just don’t know whether the original or whether that’s tucked away somewhere…like my loft for instance…

[Mystic Mock]

Been watching Football plus looking after my Cat who's currently going through a very strong heat cycle at the minute.

[Niamh.]

Been watching Football plus looking after my Cat who's currently going through a very strong heat cycle at the minute.Why dont you get her spayed?

[Crimson Dynamo]

and a 20min nap[emoji14]

:nono:

[Niamh.]

:nono:It was delightful :hee:

[Cherie]

….ahhhh, next time maybe…that sounds to me like a return visit…(I think…)…that some of the artworks are copies but very expensive copies also…/…hand painted by accomplished artists and with Van Gogh, still displaying all of his brush strokes…I guess that’s the way with many public display arts that we just don’t know whether the original or whether that’s tucked away somewhere…like my loft for instance…


:laugh:

[Mystic Mock]

Why dont you get her spayed?

We have considered that in the past, but tbh none of us want to see her go through surgery.

[Niamh.]

We have considered that in the past, but tbh none of us want to see her go through surgery.Its a very easy operation, she would be much happier in the long run

[Mystic Mock]

Its a very easy operation, she would be much happier in the long run

I'll definitely consider it.:dance:

[Maru]

Today (Sunday) I was especially tired so I slept off a little bit of the ick. My sinuses are fussy from days of wood dust and also some light lawn work. I think the pollen is starting to get into the air some also because it's greening up nicely, but also our Live Oaks are dropping tons of leaves so I'll be cleaning that (again) soon so I'm sure it's contributing.

The bed I completed after taking over from hub. He got through the cutlist and had some issues because online plans tend to work better with computerized wood than actual wood so bits are not thought out well. I told him to pick up a mattress and glad he did because I warned him while online dimensions may say one thing, such as "standard sizes", real world dimensions can be very different.

The box trim is a little bigger than the mattress because I wanted a place to be able to tuck in what will likely be AMPLE blankets. My daughter is obsessed with collecting blankets (and so am I, frankly).

Post-construction (mostly, I tacked in the slats after with brad nailer)/Pre-stain:

https://i.postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w/260301-87893.jpg (https://postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w)

https://i.postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC/260301-87936.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC)

It's big box/construction-grade wood so it's a bit of a pain to work with and is only so great but I'm IN LOVE with water-based poly. It tends to hold brush marks because it dries so fast especially with detailed/extra long pieces, but I love that I can get the deep look of oil-based polyurethane without weeks of fumes (mmm headaches). It's probably not as durable and I'd still do desks/etc the "old way" in oil, but for furniture for a child's room where fumes are really undesirable or just everyday stuff, it's so worth it.

https://i.postimg.cc/bw6Z05yd/260301-87937.jpg

I was going to build a headboard out of the extras I have and fix it to the wall with a french cleat but I kinda like her room without it... makes it feel more cheerful and open. I also like the gap to the side of her bed. It doesn't feel like she's up against the wall and plus she can slide books and stuff (something she does anyway) without it hitting the floor and getting lost underneath her bed. The bed frame is very heavy and this is a memory foam gel hybrid, so it's not going anywhere. But does mean I'll have to get the pole with the grabber to be able to pull toys and things out from underneath her bed... that part won't be fun :spin:

[Mystic Mock]

Today (Sunday) I was especially tired so I slept off a little bit of the ick. My sinuses are fussy from days of wood dust and also some light lawn work. I think the pollen is starting to get into the air some also because it's greening up nicely, but also our Live Oaks are dropping tons of leaves so I'll be cleaning that (again) soon so I'm sure it's contributing.

The bed I completed after taking over from hub. He got through the cutlist and had some issues because online plans tend to work better with computerized wood than actual wood so bits are not thought out well. I told him to pick up a mattress and glad he did because I warned him while online dimensions may say one thing, such as "standard sizes", real world dimensions can be very different.

The box trim is a little bigger than the mattress because I wanted a place to be able to tuck in what will likely be AMPLE blankets. My daughter is obsessed with collecting blankets (and so am I, frankly).

Post-construction (mostly, I tacked in the slats after with brad nailer)/Pre-stain:

https://i.postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w/260301-87893.jpg (https://postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w)

https://i.postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC/260301-87936.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC)

It's big box/construction-grade wood so it's a bit of a pain to work with and is only so great but I'm IN LOVE with water-based poly. It tends to hold brush marks because it dries so fast especially with detailed/extra long pieces, but I love that I can get the deep look of oil-based polyurethane without weeks of fumes (mmm headaches). It's probably not as durable and I'd still do desks/etc the "old way" in oil, but for furniture for a child's room where fumes are really undesirable or just everyday stuff, it's so worth it.

https://i.postimg.cc/bw6Z05yd/260301-87937.jpg

I was going to build a headboard out of the extras I have and fix it to the wall with a french cleat but I kinda like her room without it... makes it feel more cheerful and open. I also like the gap to the side of her bed. It doesn't feel like she's up against the wall and plus she can slide books and stuff (something she does anyway) without it hitting the floor and getting lost underneath her bed. The bed frame is very heavy and this is a memory foam gel hybrid, so it's not going anywhere. But does mean I'll have to get the pole with the grabber to be able to pull toys and things out from underneath her bed... that part won't be fun :spin:

It looks cool.:wavey:

[Maru]

It looks cool.:wavey:

Thanks! It's hard to believe she's already in a twin bed now :bawling:

[Cherie]

Must be very satisfying Maru the colour is lovely

[Ammi]

Today (Sunday) I was especially tired so I slept off a little bit of the ick. My sinuses are fussy from days of wood dust and also some light lawn work. I think the pollen is starting to get into the air some also because it's greening up nicely, but also our Live Oaks are dropping tons of leaves so I'll be cleaning that (again) soon so I'm sure it's contributing.

The bed I completed after taking over from hub. He got through the cutlist and had some issues because online plans tend to work better with computerized wood than actual wood so bits are not thought out well. I told him to pick up a mattress and glad he did because I warned him while online dimensions may say one thing, such as "standard sizes", real world dimensions can be very different.

The box trim is a little bigger than the mattress because I wanted a place to be able to tuck in what will likely be AMPLE blankets. My daughter is obsessed with collecting blankets (and so am I, frankly).

Post-construction (mostly, I tacked in the slats after with brad nailer)/Pre-stain:

https://i.postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w/260301-87893.jpg (https://postimg.cc/rD3d9D5w)

https://i.postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC/260301-87936.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xXhkPXLC)

It's big box/construction-grade wood so it's a bit of a pain to work with and is only so great but I'm IN LOVE with water-based poly. It tends to hold brush marks because it dries so fast especially with detailed/extra long pieces, but I love that I can get the deep look of oil-based polyurethane without weeks of fumes (mmm headaches). It's probably not as durable and I'd still do desks/etc the "old way" in oil, but for furniture for a child's room where fumes are really undesirable or just everyday stuff, it's so worth it.

https://i.postimg.cc/bw6Z05yd/260301-87937.jpg

I was going to build a headboard out of the extras I have and fix it to the wall with a french cleat but I kinda like her room without it... makes it feel more cheerful and open. I also like the gap to the side of her bed. It doesn't feel like she's up against the wall and plus she can slide books and stuff (something she does anyway) without it hitting the floor and getting lost underneath her bed. The bed frame is very heavy and this is a memory foam gel hybrid, so it's not going anywhere. But does mean I'll have to get the pole with the grabber to be able to pull toys and things out from underneath her bed... that part won't be fun :spin:

….great job, Maru…:love:…that sounds a bit flat to say…(…ho, ho, ho that’s a bed joke…..)…but it really is a great job and so lovely that little Miss Maru’s mom and dad have made her bed themselves…I’m with you in regards to the springtime pollen, I’m beginning to feel spring as well …for some reason, spring always seems to be more severe than summer for me…and the fumes from the wood stains/varnishes can be severe and brutal so a more gentle one is a great plan for a children’s bed….I’m also with you and Miss Maru on collecting blankets and throws, one of my favourite things to do also…I love the idea of making the base fame a wider expanse than the mattress so it also doubles as a bookshelf storage…I hadn’t thought of that, that’s so genius…:love:…

…the whole ambience of her room is so friendly and open and lovely, it’s a perfect little space for her and as she gets older through the years…?…I’m sure she’s going to create so many things herself in that space/using the skills she’s learning from her mama and daddy…beautiful room, great job, very well done…:love:…I always love to see your projects and you’ve mentioned the bed so actually seeing it complete now is a lovely treat…

[Maru]

Must be very satisfying Maru the colour is lovely

Thanks, Cherie :love: And yes, and while she's young, I didn't realize how much we needed this transition. She's quite tall and quickly growing. Just turned 4yrs a few months ago and at that time she was 108cm. So it's a nice way to mark the change. I was not looking forward to the dismantling her old bed because one of her great grandmothers (now passed) was the one who had gotten it for her. I'd like to think she was still there for this process.

….great job, Maru…:love:…that sounds a bit flat to say…(…ho, ho, ho that’s a bed joke…..)…but it really is a great job and so lovely that little Miss Maru’s mom and dad have made her bed themselves…I’m with you in regards to the springtime pollen, I’m beginning to feel spring as well …for some reason, spring always seems to be more severe than summer for me…and the fumes from the wood stains/varnishes can be severe and brutal so a more gentle one is a great plan for a children’s bed….I’m also with you and Miss Maru on collecting blankets and throws, one of my favourite things to do also…I love the idea of making the base fame a wider expanse than the mattress so it also doubles as a bookshelf storage…I hadn’t thought of that, that’s so genius…:love:…

…the whole ambience of her room is so friendly and open and lovely, it’s a perfect little space for her and as she gets older through the years…?…I’m sure she’s going to create so many things herself in that space/using the skills she’s learning from her mama and daddy…beautiful room, great job, very well done…:love:…I always love to see your projects and you’ve mentioned the bed so actually seeing it complete now is a lovely treat…

I wore a mask for filtering VOCs but even with water-based, the smells are not that intense. Still, stain is stain and it's not good to breath it ever. Our lawn is caked in leaves now and I'm not looking forward to hitting the inhaler to clear it. Probably will do that today. But it so satisfying because I'll get some good exercise. I have the treatment for my lawn but have to read the bag to see if it is due yet. The Bermuda in our front lawn is being very groggy about waking up but I think St Augustine (our back) is ready...

A wall hung bookshelf is in the works next I think. For now she is simply falling asleep with books next to her with the extra space but she's still going to need more book storage I think.

Has it started to green up there yet? I'm thinking of going on a photo trip soon for wildflowers soon. I walked around some of the local trails and only saw so many varieties coming up but what was is coming up is ample.

[Redway]

Slept off a night-shift, made some linguine and drank tea. Nothing special.

[Maru]

Weather right now

https://i.postimg.cc/0QckCGy0/IMG-20260302-123112.jpg

[Crimson Dynamo]

Weather right now

https://i.postimg.cc/0QckCGy0/IMG-20260302-123112.jpg

24 C in Dallas and Austin right now

We had 12 C which felt ever so mild but down to -2C tonight

[Maru]

24 C in Dallas and Austin right now

We had 12 C which felt ever so mild but down to -2C tonight

My weather station says temperature outside is 81F (28C). It was warm enough that while child and I were walking around she started to complain it was too hot, so I brought her home.

I am getting ready to go outside and blow, rake and edge the front yard at least.

[Ammi]

Thanks, Cherie :love: And yes, and while she's young, I didn't realize how much we needed this transition. She's quite tall and quickly growing. Just turned 4yrs a few months ago and at that time she was 108cm. So it's a nice way to mark the change. I was not looking forward to the dismantling her old bed because one of her great grandmothers (now passed) was the one who had gotten it for her. I'd like to think she was still there for this process.



I wore a mask for filtering VOCs but even with water-based, the smells are not that intense. Still, stain is stain and it's not good to breath it ever. Our lawn is caked in leaves now and I'm not looking forward to hitting the inhaler to clear it. Probably will do that today. But it so satisfying because I'll get some good exercise. I have the treatment for my lawn but have to read the bag to see if it is due yet. The Bermuda in our front lawn is being very groggy about waking up but I think St Augustine (our back) is ready...

A wall hung bookshelf is in the works next I think. For now she is simply falling asleep with books next to her with the extra space but she's still going to need more book storage I think.

Has it started to green up there yet? I'm thinking of going on a photo trip soon for wildflowers soon. I walked around some of the local trails and only saw so many varieties coming up but what was is coming up is ample.

…yes, the green is greening here and the blooms are blooming and the spring is springing…:lovedup:…I spent a few hours in the garden yesterday, it was glorious …and same, the lawn grass needs a bit of attention as it’s looking a bit winter worn right now…

[Maru]

…yes, the green is greening here and the blooms are blooming and the spring is springing…:lovedup:…I spent a few hours in the garden yesterday, it was glorious …and same, the lawn grass needs a bit of attention as it’s looking a bit winter worn right now…

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWVjZjA1ZTQ3bGVmbDduMHVna2ZxODBhcnJoZjkxaXA 3emZlMmVqeXVnOGI5bjRlbSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjd D1n/3orieP4PdotU4ZDila/giphy.gif

7 contractor bags (170L/ea) and counting worth of leaves later:

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExem1nazNkMW41dGtlOTU2djgwdzhuYTV mMzV0bnA3ZngzZGJwOXhweSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjd D1n/24czIW9Kmp5AmCgnbK/giphy.gif

[Ammi]

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWVjZjA1ZTQ3bGVmbDduMHVna2ZxODBhcnJoZjkxaXA 3emZlMmVqeXVnOGI5bjRlbSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjd D1n/3orieP4PdotU4ZDila/giphy.gif

7 contractor bags (170L/ea) and counting worth of leaves later:

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExem1nazNkMW41dGtlOTU2djgwdzhuYTV mMzV0bnA3ZngzZGJwOXhweSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjd D1n/24czIW9Kmp5AmCgnbK/giphy.gif

…:love:…great feeling shaking off winter, isn’t it…I think if we’ve all needed springtime and brightness and colour etc in our lives…?…that time is right now…

[bots]

i watched a forum member self implode :eyes:

[Vanessa]

Not much! I'm off to the lake to enjoy the sunshine :dazzler:

[Niamh.]

Went to work, miserable cold day, thankfully rain had eased a bit by lunchtime so Steve could have a run around the field. Will be just me and Steve at home for the evening so I think I'll get myself some microwave popcorn and watch Hamnet in front of the fire. Not exactly my usual taste but since Jessie is winning all the awards I thought it would be rude not to

[Crimson Dynamo]

I had a lady come for some Gumtree stuff and she wanted to chat - she noticed I had some cats and dogs in my porch and she told me all about her cats and dogs and where they came from etc. Now i dont mind as she looked a bit lonely but i was half way through my Oxtail soup and i had the dilemma of not wishing to appear uninterested and not wanting my soup to go cold. In the end I just microwaved the soup for 40 seconds and it was ok.

I thought my self "What would Jesus do?" and I concluded he would re-heat.

Blessed are the microwavers

:hee:

[bots]

isn't it blessed are the cheese makers?

[Ammi]

Went to work, miserable cold day, thankfully rain had eased a bit by lunchtime so Steve could have a run around the field. Will be just me and Steve at home for the evening so I think I'll get myself some microwave popcorn and watch Hamnet in front of the fire. Not exactly my usual taste but since Jessie is winning all the awards I thought it would be rude not to

….I have a friend who watched Hamnet recently and absolutely loved it and they weren’t sure that it was going to be their taste either…The Bride (I think…)…is released here tomorrow and that’s another of Jessie’s I’m excited to watch, she’s on such a roll atm and so, so well deserved…:lovedup:…